In a statement posted to the parliament’s website, it said the move was intended to “promote the spirit of national reconciliation as well as strengthening liberal democracy”.
Relatively lenient sentences appeared to be part of an effort by Prime Minister Hun Sen's government to soften its image as an authoritarian regime.
The statement by HRW published this week focused on a law regulating non-governmental groups and two other laws that it said restricted the functioning of civil society groups.
Prime Minister Hun Sen has softened his stance on the opposition, civil society and the media in recent weeks following pressure from the international community.
The move comes after Prime Minister Hun Sen issued an appeal to unionists who are the subject of outstanding legal proceedings to provide the labor ministry with information about their cases to speed up their resolution.
In October, the E.U. told Cambodia it had 12 months to reverse its crackdown on critics, civil society and the media or risk being suspended from the Everything But Arms (EBA) scheme, which allows Cambodian products duty-free access to E.U. markets.
The countries signed four agreements during the visit, including an exemption on visa requirements for members of the diplomatic service.
The announcement was made at a gathering of overseas party members in Atlanta, GA, this week, which was billed as the first Cambodia National Rescue Party world congress outside the country and supporters of Sokha had opposed.
In a statement on Monday, the foreign ministry said: “In order to further promote democracy and the rule of law, the National Assembly is reviewing legal provisions to enable individuals who were banned from politics to resume their political activities.”
The gathering by ‘overseas’ CNRP members is set to be held in Atlanta, GA. on Saturday and Sunday.
Experts say women remain underrepresented in politics in Cambodia.
Hun Sen did not reportedly respond to Heidt’s comments regarding political reconciliation or the release of Sokha.
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